Customer Reviews

Sony HVL-F56AM High-Power Digital Camera Flash for Sony Alpha Digital SLR Camera

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I bought this flash to photograph a wedding, this was my first formal event, and I received the flash the night before I needed it so I had almost no practice with using it. I have to say, for never using an external flash before, this was incredibly easy to use. After about half an hour of using it in a dark high ceiling church, I was getting the results I wanted every time, and the ability to quickly detach and use it as a hand held flash with wireless sync was a plus.

The Only problem I had with the flash was that it kept overheating with my lithium batteries. Apparently the batteries get blistering hot through continual and constant use, and the camera reads them as dead and shuts off, this put me in a few tight situations where I had to quickly change batteries, or use the pop up flash on my DSLR. I would recommend using alkaline batteries for this, they lasted a lot longer then the lithium did, I am sure the lithium would have lasted longer had they not been overheating. I would recommend to get the external battery pack on this, though it is an expensive battery holder, it seems it would have been essential if it saved my batteries from over heating.

Overall I has very happy with the flash the few times I have actually needed it, and am very happy to have it in my photographic arsenal.

You can't own a Sony a-100 and not have this flash. It is that good. If you have ADI turned on in the camera and are using a digital lens, then you can't go wrong with the flash metering that this flash/camera combo gives you. The skin tones are perfect every time whether you are 6 feet or 18 feet away. Just great. The flash even has a pull out diffuser to use in macro photography which I also use on shots within 3 feet to avoid the harsh highlights. Just great. Have I said that already?

This is my first top-mounted flash and it's performed well. I ordered this with a Sto-Fen diffuser (must-have) for my Sony A100 and it's gotten a decent amount of use since Christmas Day, including a wedding last weekend.

I haven't take then time to learn all of the functions, but in Auto mode it's performed well. I also purchased a 4-pack of Sony Ni-MH rechargable batteries (with charger) specifically for this. For a wedding shot last weekend, I plowed through my fully-charged Sony's in a little less than an hour. Not sure if that's normal or not; I figured they'd last a bit longer.

Anyways, good product. Love it.

This flash has a powerful blast and many bonus controls. Like the three second flashing option, where you can negotiate all the shadow and lighting options before having to actually shoot your first shot.

Very versitile with many useful features. Pleanty of power and speed for my needs. I am very satisfied and would recommend this flash.

Really enjoying product...best feature...flash can go wireless, and with the swival versatility it can be placed wherever you need it.

At first when i got this flash unit,I was not sure of it many uses,but i was surprised! Its the best flash unit ever. The wireless features are great,Anyone that is serious about the best lighting this is a must!

I cannot for the life of me figure out how I got along so long without this flash! I photograph old bars and taverns and most of these places are very dark inside. Short of asking the owner or manager to turn on the lights, I have had to painstakingly take the pictures in the dark and hope to lighten them up later. With this flash, you have nothing to worry about. You can control the length of the flash and there are so many other great features, it's hard not to recommend this flash. It comes with a manual and a stand so you can use it with a remote, but it is practically user friendly. Getting aquanted with it took no time at all and the manual is great for just in case I need the help, it is easy to figure out on your own. No brainer, if you need a flash for your Sony DSLR Camera, this is definately the one.

Awesome Flash. Happy I went with the bigger one. This is my first external flash and I am very impressed with the quality improvement of my indoor shots. Well worth the money.

***Update...It is 6 months later. I improve my photography regularly. I have learned the importance of a flash both in and out of doors. This flash has proven invaluable.

If you want to improve your pictures, buy this flash.

I got this flash for my Minolta 7D and Sony A100. It works perfectly on both of the cameras. One of its special features is to has the ADI metering function. But to make ADI system work, it requires camera, flash and lens all support this function. Unfortunately, although ADI is more advanced than TTL metering, I do not have any D-lens that support ADI function. However, its TTL metering is still very accurate than what I expected.

It wireless mode works great on any of my cameras. You do not need any special accessory to enable this mode. Just set the flash to "wireless", and camera body to "wireless", and then pop up your camera top flash as the igniter, then go wireless. I might say the camera can control the flash remotely within 20 feet.

The only thing I want to complaint about is its plastic hot shoe. Sure it has a plastic hot shot, can you ever imagine a camera company will make their top notch and professional flash with a plastic hot shoe? I cannot believe it. Nikon's SB800, Canon's EX580, they all have metal hot shoe. The flash itself weight nearly a pound, not to mention with 4 batteries on it. Think about take it vertically on a camera, how much pressure it brings to the conjunction of the hot shoe. I have seen actually somebody drop it on the ground together with the camera. You know result, the hot shoe breaks off.